General

Raising the Participation Age

The government is increasing the age which all young people in England must continue in education or training, requiring them to continue until the end of the academic year in which they turn 17 from 2013 and until their 18th birthday from 2015.

Raising the participation age (RPA) does not mean young people must stay in school; they will be able to choose one of the following options Post-16

Full-time education, such as school, college or home tuition

An apprentice

Part-time education or training if they are employed, self-employed or volunteering full-time (which is defined as 20 hours or more a week).